As Jose Dominguez unpacked his bags and reclaimed a locker in the Dodgers’ clubhouse Monday, it was another reminder of what makes Clayton Kershaw so good.

Dominguez was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to help a bullpen that entered Monday having thrown 70 1/3 innings, second in the major leagues. The 23-year-old right-hander is fresh, having made just five appearances in 17 days.

Many of the Dodgers’ relief pitchers are not fresh. That pointed, in part, to Kershaw’s absence.

“We’ve been in that bullpen pretty good so far. We’d like to get that straightened out.”

Dominguez has allowed four earned runs in three appearances for the Dodgers this season. To make room for him on the active roster, Chone Figgins was optioned to Albuquerque.

Figgins made only nine plate appearances in the Dodgers’ first 19 games of the season, collecting one single and three walks. He only played two innings on defense. Mattingly envisioned Figgins as a versatile utility player in spring training, and that’s the role he envisions the 36-year-old playing at Albuquerque.

Why didn’t we see more of Figgins in the majors?

“We’ve had a zillion off-days, for one thing,” Mattingly said. “At the end of the day, I don’t think it’s going to be horrible for Figgy to get 25, 30 at-bats. We saw him get bat speed all the time, and saw the at-bats be (competitive) at-bats.”

A 12-year major league veteran, Figgins had a clause in his contract with the Dodgers that allowed him to be optioned to the minor leagues without his permission. He signed a minor-league deal with the club in January and was added to the 40-man roster prior to the team’s season-opening trip to Australia.

On the mend

Kershaw’s time on the disabled list with a strained muscle in his back reached 23 days Monday. The clock appears to be winding down.

Kershaw will throw a bullpen session today, his next step on the road to recovery from a strained muscle in his upper back.

Kershaw threw approximately 45-50 pitches in a three-inning simulated game Sunday at Dodger Stadium. He reported no pain Monday, then backed up his extremely limited self-report by playing long toss in the Dodger Stadium outfield (above). Kershaw threw from roughly the left-field foul line to teammate Dan Haren in left-center, well in excess of 100 feet.

Neither Kershaw nor Mattingly would say what Kershaw’s next step is after today. If healthy, Kershaw figures to make a rehabilitation start soon.

Single-A Rancho Cucamonga plays three straight home games starting Friday, followed by four straight nearby in San Bernardino. Triple-A Albuquerque has 12 straight home games (with no days off) starting Monday.

Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis reported no pain after catching Kershaw’s simulated game. He participated in batting practice for the fourth straight day, but otherwise stayed off his feet and didn’t catch any live pitching. Ellis is recovering from an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee April 7.

The 10K controversy

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Dodgers entered play Monday needing three wins to reach 10,000 in franchise history. However, the Dodgers’ media guide had the club needing 16.

According to the Dodgers, the discrepancy is the club’s 1899 record, listed as 88-42. The Brooklyn Dodgers actually won 101 games that season. However, the New York Giants successfully appealed to the National League following the season that 18 games were played under illegal circumstances, and the league’s board of directors struck those games from the official record.

The Dodgers have submitted a document to Elias supporting their claim of 88 wins.

Notable

The Dodgers officially renamed their trainer’s room after team physician Dr. Frank Jobe, who passed away in March. Jobe’s widow, Beverly, and three of his sons, Cam, Chris and Meredith, were given a replica of the sign that will hang above the entrance to the trainer’s room. Cam, Chris and Meredith also throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game. … Pitcher Steve Edlefsen retired three weeks into the season with Triple-A Albuquerque. The Dodgers signed the 28-year-old right-hander to a minor-league contract out of their open tryout during spring training. He allowed 11 runs in 8 1/3 innings.

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